Country music icon Dolly Parton died following a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement released by her representatives after her death at age 80.
Parton died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after being admitted to the facility just four days earlier.
Her representatives confirmed that cancer was behind the legendary singer’s death but did not disclose the specific type of cancer she had been diagnosed with.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” Parton’s representatives said in a statement provided to PEOPLE.
The statement highlighted Parton’s decades of charitable work, including her famous Imagination Library program, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children.
Her representatives also pointed to Parton’s support for medical research, including funding that helped support the development of a vaccine used around the world.
“Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact,” the statement said.
Her team then revealed that the singer had recently been battling cancer.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
Parton had also reportedly been struggling with kidney and autoimmune problems before her death.
In the days leading up to her passing, Parton had publicly acknowledged that she was experiencing health problems and admitted she had previously neglected some of her own medical needs while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean, according to Trending Politics.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton told PEOPLE.
The singer also recalled experiencing serious health difficulties decades earlier.
“Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she said.
Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death Tuesday in an Instagram video on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver said.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than 20 years, revealed that the country legend had personally asked him years ago to make the announcement when the time eventually came.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he said.
Seaver described delivering the news as an honor accompanied by tremendous sadness, while saying the family was taking comfort in Parton’s Christian faith.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he said.
Seaver added that he believed Parton had been reunited with Dean, her parents and other loved ones who died before her.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” he said.
Parton leaves behind one of the most celebrated legacies in country music history, spanning decades of hit songs, performances, philanthropy and entertainment.
